Writing Chapter 8

How writing develops (small group discussion) Scribbling and drawing stage Prephonemic stage Early phonemic stage Letter-naming stage Transitional stage

What is age-appropriate? Kindergarten- First grade Second grade Third grade

Stages of the Writing Process Planning/prewriting Composing/drafting Revising Editing Publishing

Basic Structure and Parts of a Writer’s Workshop Takes place 2 or 3 times a week Often alternates with reader’s workshops or literature circles Involves rotating through different writing stations Parts: Minilessons State-of-the-class conferences Writing and conferencing Group sharing

Planning/Prewriting Stage Exploring and organizing ideas to write about: Two-column method (list of likes/dislikes) List of topics attached to the inside of a writing folder Graphic organizers Brainstorming Clustering

Composing/Drafting Stage Develop topics and translate ideas into written form Mark key concepts developed during brainstorming

First Drafts or Rough Drafts From the graphic organizers and brainstorming maps the students can pull which ideas he or she deems most important. The student can then use these ideas to begin writing. Students may find difficulty getting started in this stage of writing. If the student has done complete brainstorming, then they should be able to begin elaborating on the topic.

Let their writing guide your instruction As a writing teacher you may not know which things to work on with your students to improve writing. Use their writing samples to guide your instruction. Teach using mini lessons. These are 5-10 minute lessons targeting a skill that is needed based on their writing. Show a new skill to the class and give examples of how to incorporate it into their writing. Challenge students to use the new skill in the revising stage.

Possible Mini lesson Topics Let your student’s writing guide your instruction. Appropriate vocabulary and strategies for finding words How to determine when a paragraph is needed How to select specific mood words The conventions for a business letter Procedures for writer’s workshop How to select a topic Examples of imagery from familiar literature

Revising Stage Involves: Methods: Re-examining content, word choice, and organization Rethinking style Methods: Response guides (compliments and questions) Peer editing (PQP—praise, question, and polish)

Editing Phase The piece of writing is the student’s original work so the student should be the one to edit his or her piece of writing. You may provide hints and corrections on a separate page or sticky notes. Never use a red pen!!! Provide a checklist for them to use in editing.

Editing Stage— Example Editing Checklist

Writing and Conferencing Characteristics: Should be brief Focus is on a piece of writing the student is doing Each day is different The teacher is a co-collaborator rather than an authority. Students should take an active role by asking questions.

6 + 1 Trait Writing Guide to Revision

Publishing Stage Actual book format Classroom bulletin board Forms of sharing and disseminating writing: Actual book format Classroom bulletin board School showcases Class or school newspaper Magazines Websites for students’ work For example, http://www.frodosnotebook.com/

Reasons for Group Sharing or Author’s Chair Gives students an opportunity to impress an audience Allows peer editors to see how their ideas had an effect on the piece Builds a sense of community Makes literacy public Shows interconnectedness between reading and writing

Using Technology in Classroom Writing Websites: Used for further research and understanding of a topic Used to publish writing Word processing programs: Used for generating ideas, prewriting, brainstorming, free associating, revising, and editing Used to produce a professional-looking piece of writing

Writing Extended Narrative Text Gives students a feeling of accomplishment and pride Challenges them to produce a complex set of characters who evolve Helps them write something similar to an adult novel in scope and size

Writing Informational Text Explains an idea, object, or process Presents material whose purpose is to explain or inform and to tell readers something they may not already know Can be easier than narrative text to find topics to write about

Writing for fun Story cubes in groups